The death of a 29-year-old man, Oduga Mujeed Igbayitayo, popularly known as “pkaOlá,” in police custody has sparked outrage and calls for justice from his family and friends.
According to the Guardian, Igbayitayo was arrested on February 11, 2025, at his residence in Chevron, Lagos, following a dispute with his neighbor, identified as Stasia Nora. Officers from Ikota Police Station reportedly invited him for questioning.
According to an estate manager, Mr. Jacob, who witnessed the arrest, the police assured him that Igbayitayo would return home soon.
However, when Jacob later visited the station to check on him, officers denied having him in custody.
Igbayitayo’s wife, who was staying with her mother-in-law in Ikorodu, became worried when she could not reach him. She reached out to the estate manager, who informed her of the arrest.
Alarmed, she alerted Igbayitayo’s siblings, who immediately visited Ikota Police Station, only to be told again that he was not in custody.
After persistent demands from his sister, Abisola Bakare, the police admitted that Igbayitayo had been taken to the station but later transferred to Ajah Police Division.
However, upon arrival at Ajah, the family was informed that he had died and that his body was at the Epe mortuary.
Devastated by the news, Abisola demanded answers. “He was invited for questioning, and the next thing we hear is that his body is in the mortuary. What happened to him in police custody? How did his body get there?” she lamented.
The Lagos State Police Command has since launched an investigation into the incident. Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the Investigating Police Officer and the complainant are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
“An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death, after which further necessary actions will follow,” Hundeyin said, assuring the public of a thorough investigation.
